The Whale Tail Cafe

Tucked away off the main street, the Whale Tail doesn't have the best entrance - don't be put off by the commercial sized bins and the 'student-y' new age feel. Up the entrance steps, past the basic but clean loos, then upstairs to the cafe, which has all the ambience of a college canteen.

But the staff are friendly and the veggie food is great. I bought the Whale Tail cook book some time ago, fully intending to make some of those delicious salads at home, but I never have! I'd far rather the Whale Tail staff make them for me!

Downstairs is a wholefood shop that is run as a co-operative. Well worth a visit after sampling the healthy Whale Tail fare.

busy at times but you can understand why, its good food

Lancaster's only fully vegetarian restaurant can get very busy and you'll sometimes be lucky to get a seat, especially during University student term time. It's worth persisting, however: the food is always good and the staff are a delight. There's a garden that's open most of the time if you like to eat outdoors.

I was really looking forward to eating here, but was a bit disappointed.

It was a very small place & very difficult to bring my baby & toddler into. I found the food a bit plain.

I was expecting an open relaxed place, but it was small. the other customers really seemed to be rather pretentious & seemed disgusted that i would bring my children to a healthy cafe !!

there was a lack of facilities for the little ones & they felt a bit claustrophobic.

the staff were lovely & if it were in a slightly better building it would be a huge improvement.

Gorgeous food, relaxed and healthy. I always want the reciepe! all veggie wholefood and organic where possible. grab a paper to read. they have a good kids menu and highchairs and toys to keep them amused. clean and friendly.

This is a really atmospheric place in the rafters of an old cheese warehouse. It always seems to be filled with assorted arty bohemian types and you hear some interesting conversations! Very good for people watching …
The food is lovely - very healthy and tasty with big bowls of salad and generous portions being a speciality.
In addition the drinks are good - you can come here for a simple coffee and not be disappointed.
Although the dining room is quite large whenever I’ve come here it’s always full which has to be a good sign. The staff are very smiley and friendly, and you don’t have to wait too long for your food no matter how busy they are.

Belting food, decent atmosphere, unpretentious and generally a really nice place to get a bite to eat.
Lancaster suffers as much as any other town from globalisation so it’s always nice to see a little independent place like this operating so, seemingly, successfully.
Every time I have been the food has been fresh, tasty and reasonably priced. And it’s one of those places where you don’t mind that it is vegetarian because the food is so good. Highly recommend any of the salads.
Really relaxed this is the kind of place that more locals should support.

This is quite simply the best place to get a fully fried, hangover cure type veggie breakfast. I was a regular customer when I lived in Lancaster and the food is simply heavenly.

Not only are there so many different choices, but the cakes are to die for. The staff are wonderful and the service is cheerful and fast. You must visit this cafe if you visit Lancaster!

This place is the alternative place in town to the usual restaurants and cafe’s it hint the wilds of devon where I used to live and their food is purely Veggie so its a nice change from the horrible microwaved food from the chain pubs in town. Well recommend it

Just GREAT!

Its one of the small gems that either you know about, or you don’t. Passed on by word-of-mouth…

This place sits in a ally off Penny Street and you could miss it unless you were looking.

The café sits on the second floor (I presume their is some wheelchair access somewhere), and is decorated with modern stylish, but comfortable (ie homely), decoration.

The menu consists mostly of veggie food, if not all, and consists of your usual home-style meals (some with veggie twists), and most served with a salad.
And very very very tasty, and well priced, and well just lovely.

The staff and overall service were great and super friendly!

I can’t think of any more great things to say about this place! I totally recommend it to anyone!

STOP READING THIS REVIEW AND GO NOW AND ENJOY IT!